When we venture from the horizontal, everyday world into that special vertical space we are always on a mission to explore; it doesn’t matter if it’s the first time a route’s been climbed, or the hundredth time it’s been climbed by you, there is always something to discover. It can be in the literal sense of that ever tantalizing uncharted first ascent, or in the much more personal realm of self discovery and introspection. Climbing is going to lead you off the edges of the map.

During the festival, it’s always exciting to watch that exploration play out throughout the week. The first time climber, who never thought they’d succeed, discovers they are more than they imagined. The rock climber discovers a love for their sport’s frozen analog. The long time festival veteran shares a rope with a stranger and discovers that the passion doesn’t wane with the years, and makes some new friends in the process.

The Upper Peninsula has always been somewhere beyond the map. We’re the often forgotten location where you’re free to seek out your own adventure. This year, we want to focus on that. Whatever you’re in search of, we hope you find it during the festival. It’s a perfect time to explore, not only the great climbing and incredible landscape, but also the strength inside you and the passion of a community.

Welcome to the Michigan Ice Fest, we can’t wait to see you out there, beyond the edges of the map.

Schedule:

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

5:00pm: Headquarters Officially Opens! - Community Center
6:30pm: Gear Pick Up for Wednesday Backcountry Classes - Community Center
9:00pm: Climber's After Party - Barge Inn
9:30pm: Headquarters Closes - Community Center

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

7:00am: Gear Demo Opens - Community Center
9:00am: Wave #1 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
9:30am: Wave #2 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
6:00pm: All Demo Gear Must Be Returned - Community Center
7:00pm: Gear Pick Up for Thursday Backcountry Classes - Community Center
7:00pm: Presentation-Alex Hansen - Mather Auditorium
8:00pm: Presentation-Maggie Williams - Mather Auditorium
9:00pm: Climber's After Party - ByGeorge Brewing Co.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

7:00am: Gear Demo Opens - Community Center
8:00am: Wave #1 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
8:30am: Wave #2 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
9:00am: Coffee Talk: Scott Crady - Gallery Coffee
1:00pm: Half Day PM Classes Meet - Guide Center
4:00pm: Apres-climb by Detroit Outdoors - Guide Center
6:00pm: All Demo Gear Must Be Returned - Community Center
6:30pm: Gear Pick Up for Friday Backcountry Classes - Community Center
7:00pm: Presentation-Matt Cornell - Mather Auditorium
8:00pm: Presentation-Ian Welsted - Mather Auditorium
9:00pm: Climber's After Party - Gallery Coffee

Friday, February 10, 2023

7:00am: Gear Demo Opens - Community Center
8:00am: Coffee Talk: Sam Elias - Artist on Ice - Gallery Coffee
8:00am: Wave #1 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
8:30am: Wave #2 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
9:00am: Wave #3 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
9:00am: Coffee Talk: Emilie Drinkwater - Afghan Women's Climbing Program - Gallery Coffee
10:00am - 4:00pm: Walk Up Climbing at the Curtains - Curtains Demo Area
1:00pm: Half Day PM Classes Meet - Guides Center
4:00pm: Woodblock Print Making with Sam Elias - Guides Center
5:00pm: YETI signing with Conrad Anker - Community Center
6:00pm: All Demo Gear Must Be Returned - Community Center
6:30pm: Gear Pick Up for Saturday Backcountry Classes - Community Center
7:00pm: Presentation-Aaron Mulkey - Mather Auditorium
8:00pm: Presentation-Full Circle Everest - Mather Auditorium
9:00pm: Legendary Gear Raffle Part One - Mather Auditorium
9:00pm: East Channel Brewing Co. Street Party

Saturday, February 11, 2023

6:00am: Meet for the Remote Route Challenge - Community Center
7:00am: Gear Demo Opens - Community Center
7:30am: Wave #1 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
8:00am: Coffee Talk: Jon Hawk - Memphis Rox - Gallery Coffee
8:00am: Wave #2 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
8:30am: Wave #3 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
9:00am: Coffee Talk: Brian Block - 7 Summits - Gallery Coffee
10:00am - 4:00pm: Walk Up Climbing at the Curtains - Curtains Demo Area
1:00pm: Half Day PM Classes Meet - Guides Center
4:00pm:  Mountain Books - Book Signing with James Mills, Conrad Anker,Barry Blanchard & Tim Banfield - Guides Center
5:00pm: Film: Scale of Hope w/ Kitty Calhoun - Mather Auditorium
6:00pm: All Demo Gear Must Be Returned - Community Center
6:30pm: Gear Pick Up for Sunday Backcountry Classes - Community Center
7:00pm: Presentation-Spindrift film with Barry Blanchard - Mather Auditorium
8:00pm: Presentation-Conrad Anker - Mather Auditorium
9:00pm: Legendary Gear Raffle Part Two - Mather Auditorium
9:00pm: Ice Fest Dance Party Featuring live music - Gallery Coffee

Sunday, February 12, 2023

7:00am: Gear Demo Opens - Community Center
7:30am: Wave #1 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
8:30am: Wave #2 Classes Meet for Gear Pick-Up - Community Center
10:00am: American Alpine Club Raffle - Guides Center
10:00am - 1:00pm: Walk Up Climbing at the Curtains - Curtains Demo Area
4:00pm: All Demo Gear Must Be Returned - Community Center
5:00pm: Ice Fest Headquarters Closes - Community Center

Date: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 - Sunday, February 12, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Munising, MI

Click here For Registration

Click here For More Information